Socceroos can rule in 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil

EA Sports’ 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil will let you do what the Aussies won’t: win the World Cup.

Tim Cahill and Ben Halloran of Australia acknowledge the fans after being defeated by Chile 3-1.

WHILE the FIFA World Cup is the most-watched sporting spectacle in the world, it’s not common practice for teams participating in the huge event to be considered the spectators.

But at this year’s event in Brazil, Australia’s Socceroos — who have been drawn in the tournament’s toughest group — are expected to be just that.

It’s a tough assessment, but at least there’s light at the end of the tunnel with EA Sports’ 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil game, which will let you do what the Aussies won’t: win the World Cup.

EA regularly releases its Tournament editions to let its developers play with new physics engines and animations that invariably make their way into the yearly FIFA games, and that’s no different with 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil. From nuances that favour attacking flair to new passing, shooting and jostling animations, the core mechanics that drive the FIFA 14 experience have all received a tweak.

The pace of FIFAWorld Cup Brazilalso feels like it has been amped up a notch, which en­hances the passes and off-the-ball runs made by your players when in attacking situations.

There have been some welcome changes to the set pieces within the game that allow you to customise corners and free kicks to take advantage of the sharper AI on display.

Outside of the game mechanics, FIFA World Cup Brazilfeatures a slew of new content including 20 new stadiums, 203 international teams, and 15 extra hours of commentary.

New game modes like “Captain Your Country” and “Road to the FIFA World Cup” also add to the overall gaming experience. While these tweaks should be enough to convince diehards to grab a copy, more casual players might feel there aren’t enough big changes to warrant an upgrade.

For the rest, the chance to achieve the impossible and take the Socceroos to World Cup glory should be worth the price.

Rating: 7/10